Comprehensive Questions for Heat

Chapter
Below is an exhaustive set of multiple-choice questions (MCQs), fill-in-the-blank, true/false, and
1-2-3-5 mark questions for the chapter "Heat" from the PDF "DocScanner 20 Jul 2025 4-51
pm.pdf." The questions cover all details, including curricular goals, activities (e.g., hot/cold
water, body temperature, convection, radiation), sections ("Let's Recall," "Quick Check," "Let's
Look Back," key terms), and concepts like heat, temperature, thermometers, heat transfer
(conduction, convection, radiation), and the thermos flask. Answers are derived directly from the
PDF, with minimal inferences for truncated sections (PAGE3, PAGE8, PAGE11) using standard
scientific knowledge. The set aims to maximize question quantity while ensuring
non-redundancy and depth.

Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs)

1.​ What is heat energy caused by?​
a) Stationary particles​
b) Motion of tiny particles​
c) Chemical reactions​
d) Electrical charges​
Answer: b) Motion of tiny particles​

2.​ What is the SI unit of heat?​

a) Kelvin​
b) Joule​
c) Celsius​
d) Watt​
Answer: b) Joule​

3.​ Which unit is also used to measure heat besides joule?​

a) Newton​
b) Calorie​
c) Pascal​
d) Ampere​
Answer: b) Calorie​

4.​ What does temperature measure?​

a) Mass of an object​
b) Degree of hotness or coldness​
c) Volume of an object​
 d) Speed of particles​
Answer: b) Degree of hotness or coldness​

5.​ Why can’t we rely on touch to estimate hotness or coldness?​

a) Touch measures mass​
b) Hotness and coldness are relative​
c) Touch is always accurate​
d) Skin blocks heat​
Answer: b) Hotness and coldness are relative​

6.​ What instrument measures temperature?​

a) Barometer​
b) Thermometer​
c) Hydrometer​
d) Anemometer​
Answer: b) Thermometer​

7.​ What is the lower fixed point on the Celsius scale?​

a) 0°C​
b) 32°C​
c) 100°C​
d) 273°C​
Answer: a) 0°C​

8.​ What is the upper fixed point on the Fahrenheit scale?​

a) 32°F​
b) 100°F​
c) 212°F​
d) 273°F​
Answer: c) 212°F​

9.​ What liquid is commonly used in a thermometer’s bulb?​

a) Water​
b) Mercury​
c) Oil​
d) Glycerin​
Answer: b) Mercury​

10.​What is the temperature range of a clinical thermometer in Celsius?​

a) 0°C to 100°C​
b) 35°C to 42°C​
c) -10°C to 110°C​
d) 32°C to 212°C​
 Answer: b) 35°C to 42°C​

11.​What prevents mercury backflow in a clinical thermometer?​

a) Bulb​
b) Kink​
c) Capillary tube​
d) Scale​
Answer: b) Kink​

12.​What is the normal human body temperature in Fahrenheit?​

a) 94°F​
b) 98.6°F​
c) 108°F​
d) 212°F​
Answer: b) 98.6°F​

13.​What is the range of a laboratory thermometer in Celsius?​

a) 0°C to 100°C​
b) -10°C to 110°C​
c) 35°C to 42°C​
d) -115°C to 78°C​
Answer: b) -10°C to 110°C​

14.​Why is mercury preferred in thermometers?​

a) It is cheap​
b) It expands uniformly with temperature​
c) It is transparent​
d) It sticks to glass​
Answer: b) It expands uniformly with temperature​

15.​What is an advantage of alcohol over mercury in thermometers?​

a) Higher boiling point​
b) Less toxic​
c) More expensive​
d) Sticks to glass​
Answer: b) Less toxic​

16.​What is the maximum temperature an alcohol thermometer can measure?​

a) 78°C​
b) 110°C​
c) 356.62°C​
d) 212°C​
Answer: a) 78°C​
17.​What component does a digital thermometer use to sense temperature?​
a) Mercury​
b) Alcohol​
c) Thermistor​
d) Capillary tube​
Answer: c) Thermistor​

18.​What displays the temperature in a digital thermometer?​

a) Glass stem​
b) LCD​
c) Mercury column​
d) Bulb​
Answer: b) LCD​

19.​How does heat transfer occur in solids?​

a) Convection​
b) Radiation​
c) Conduction​
d) Evaporation​
Answer: c) Conduction​

20.​Which material is a good conductor of heat?​

a) Plastic​
b) Wood​
c) Copper​
d) Rubber​
Answer: c) Copper​

21.​What is the process of heat transfer in liquids and gases called?​

a) Conduction​
b) Convection​
c) Radiation​
d) Insulation​
Answer: b) Convection​

22.​Which process transfers heat without a medium?​

a) Conduction​
b) Convection​
c) Radiation​
d) Insulation​
Answer: c) Radiation​

23.​Why do ice cubes melt at room temperature?​

a) They conduct heat​
 b) They absorb heat from the atmosphere​
c) They radiate heat​
d) They remain at constant temperature​
Answer: b) They absorb heat from the atmosphere​

24.​Which material is an insulator?​

a) Aluminium​
b) Copper​
c) Wood​
d) Silver​
Answer: c) Wood​

25.​Why are cooking utensil handles made of insulators?​

a) To conduct heat​
b) To prevent burns​
c) To increase weight​
d) To absorb heat​
Answer: b) To prevent burns​

26.​What color absorbs heat better?​

a) White​
b) Black​
c) Silver​
d) Red​
Answer: b) Black​

27.​What prevents heat loss by radiation in a thermos flask?​

a) Vacuum​
b) Silvered walls​
c) Plastic stopper​
d) Glass bottle​
Answer: b) Silvered walls​

28.​What prevents heat loss by conduction and convection in a thermos flask?​

a) Silvered walls​
b) Vacuum​
c) Plastic stopper​
d) Stainless steel​
Answer: b) Vacuum​

29.​What is the movement of air from sea to land during the day called?​
a) Land breeze​
b) Sea breeze​
c) Convection current​
 d) Radiation wave​
Answer: b) Sea breeze​

30.​What is the movement of air from land to sea at night called?​

a) Land breeze​
b) Sea breeze​
c) Convection current​
d) Radiation wave​
Answer: a) Land breeze​

31.​Why are exhaust fans placed at an elevated position?​

a) To conduct heat​
b) To push out rising hot air​
c) To reflect heat​
d) To insulate the room​
Answer: b) To push out rising hot air​

32.​What is used to clean a clinical thermometer before use?​

a) Tap water​
b) Antiseptic solution​
c) Hot water​
d) Oil​
Answer: b) Antiseptic solution​

33.​Where should a clinical thermometer be placed for a child to avoid accidents?​

a) Under the tongue​
b) In the hand​
c) Under the armpit​
d) On the forehead​
Answer: c) Under the armpit​

34.​What should be avoided when reading a thermometer?​

a) Holding by the stem​
b) Holding by the bulb​
c) Keeping it vertical​
d) Reading at eye level​
Answer: b) Holding by the bulb​

35.​What shows convection currents in the water heating activity?​

a) Thermometer readings​
b) Purple streaks of potassium permanganate​
c) Beaker transparency​
d) Burner flame​
 Answer: b) Purple streaks of potassium permanganate​

36.​Why are woolen clothes worn in winter?​

a) They conduct heat​
b) They trap air, an insulator​
c) They absorb moisture​
d) They radiate heat​
Answer: b) They trap air, an insulator​

37.​What is the boiling point of mercury?​

a) -38.83°C​
b) 78°C​
c) 356.62°C​
d) 212°C​
Answer: c) 356.62°C​

38.​Which scale is commonly used alongside Celsius in thermometers?​

a) Kelvin​
b) Fahrenheit​
c) Rankine​
d) Réaumur​
Answer: b) Fahrenheit​

39.​What is the primary use of a laboratory thermometer?​

a) Measuring body temperature​
b) Measuring room temperature​
c) Laboratory experiments​
d) Weather forecasting​
Answer: c) Laboratory experiments​

40.​Why is a polished metallic surface used in room heaters?​

a) To absorb heat​
b) To reflect heat radiation​
c) To conduct heat​
d) To insulate heat​
Answer: b) To reflect heat radiation​

Fill-in-the-Blank Questions
41.​The SI unit of heat is _____.​
Answer: Joule​
42.​Heat is also measured in _____.​
Answer: Calorie​

43.​Temperature measures the degree of _____ or _____ of an object.​

Answer: Hotness, Coldness​

44.​The instrument used to measure temperature is a _____.​

Answer: Thermometer​

45.​The thermometer’s bulb is filled with _____ or _____.​

Answer: Mercury, Alcohol​

46.​The lower fixed point on the Celsius scale is _____°C.​

Answer: 0​

47.​The upper fixed point on the Fahrenheit scale is _____°F.​

Answer: 212​

48.​The normal human body temperature is _____°C or _____°F.​

Answer: 37, 98.6​

49.​A clinical thermometer has a _____ to prevent mercury backflow.​

Answer: Kink​

50.​The range of a laboratory thermometer is from _____°C to _____°C.​

Answer: -10, 110​

51.​Mercury’s melting point is _____°C.​

Answer: -38.83​

52.​Mercury’s boiling point is _____°C.​

Answer: 356.62​

53.​_____ thermometers measure very low temperatures.​

Answer: Alcohol​

54.​Alcohol thermometers cannot measure above _____°C.​

Answer: 78​

55.​A digital thermometer uses a _____ to sense temperature.​

Answer: Thermistor​
56.​The thermistor is connected to an _____ to display temperature.​
Answer: LCD​

57.​Heat transfer from a hotter to a cooler region is called _____.​

Answer: Heat transfer​

58.​Heat transfer in solids occurs by _____.​

Answer: Conduction​

59.​Heat transfer in liquids and gases occurs by _____.​

Answer: Convection​

60.​Heat transfer without a medium is called _____.​

Answer: Radiation​

61.​Materials that do not allow heat to pass easily are called _____.​
Answer: Insulators​

62.​_____ is a good conductor used in thermometer bulbs.​

Answer: Mercury​

63.​Cooking utensils are made of _____ for better heat conduction.​

Answer: Metals​

64.​Handles of utensils are made of _____ to prevent burns.​

Answer: Insulators​

65.​_____ objects absorb and radiate heat better than white objects.​
Answer: Black​

66.​The _____ between thermos flask walls prevents conduction and convection.​
Answer: Vacuum​

67.​The _____ walls of a thermos flask prevent heat loss by radiation.​

Answer: Silvered​

68.​The movement of air from sea to land is called _____ breeze.​

Answer: Sea​

69.​The movement of air from land to sea is called _____ breeze.​

Answer: Land​
 70.​Woolen clothes trap _____ to keep the body warm.​
Answer: Air​

71.​The Celsius scale divides the range between 0°C and 100°C into _____ equal parts.​
Answer: 100​

72.​The Fahrenheit scale’s lower fixed point is _____°F.​

Answer: 32​

73.​A clinical thermometer measures from _____°C to _____°C.​

Answer: 35, 42​

74.​_____ is used to clean a clinical thermometer before use.​

Answer: Antiseptic solution​

75.​In the convection activity, _____ shows the movement of convection currents.​
Answer: Potassium permanganate​

76.​The thermos flask’s _____ stopper prevents heat loss by conduction.​

Answer: Plastic​

77.​_____ is used in geysers for efficient heat conduction.​

Answer: Copper​

78.​Ice slabs are covered with _____ to prevent melting.​

Answer: Sawdust​

79.​The thermometer should be read at _____ level for accuracy.​

Answer: Eye​

80.​Convection requires _____ molecules to occur.​

Answer: Free​

True/False Questions
81.​Heat is a form of energy.​
Answer: True​

82.​The SI unit of heat is Kelvin.​

Answer: False​
83.​Temperature is a reliable measure of hotness or coldness.​
Answer: True​

84.​The sense of touch accurately estimates temperature.​

Answer: False​

85.​The Celsius scale’s upper fixed point is 212°C.​

Answer: False​

86.​A clinical thermometer has a kink to prevent mercury backflow.​

Answer: True​

87.​The laboratory thermometer’s range is 0°C to 100°C.​

Answer: False​

88.​Mercury expands uniformly with temperature changes.​

Answer: True​

89.​Alcohol thermometers can measure temperatures above 356.62°C.​

Answer: False​

90.​A digital thermometer uses a thermistor to sense temperature.​

Answer: True​

91.​Heat always moves from lower to higher temperature regions.​

Answer: False​

92.​Conduction occurs readily in liquids and gases.​

Answer: False​

93.​Convection involves the actual movement of particles.​

Answer: True​

94.​Radiation requires a material medium to transfer heat.​

Answer: False​

95.​Copper is an insulator of heat.​

Answer: False​

96.​Woolen clothes trap air to keep the body warm.​

Answer: True​
 97.​Black objects absorb less heat than white objects.​
Answer: False​

98.​The thermos flask’s vacuum prevents heat loss by radiation.​

Answer: False​

99.​Sea breezes occur at night.​

Answer: False​

100.​ The clinical thermometer should be held by the bulb while reading.​
Answer: False​

1-Mark Questions (Brief)

101.​ What is heat energy?​
Answer: Heat energy is the energy caused by the motion of tiny particles in an object.​

102.​ What is the SI unit of heat?​

Answer: Joule​

103.​ Name another unit used to measure heat.​

Answer: Calorie​

104.​ What does a thermometer measure?​

Answer: Temperature​

105.​ What is the lower fixed point on the Celsius scale?​

Answer: 0°C​

106.​ What is the upper fixed point on the Fahrenheit scale?​

Answer: 212°F​

107.​ What is the normal human body temperature in Celsius?​

Answer: 37°C​

108.​ What prevents mercury backflow in a clinical thermometer?​

Answer: Kink​

109.​ What is the temperature range of a clinical thermometer in Fahrenheit?​

Answer: 94°F to 108°F​
110.​ What is the range of a laboratory thermometer in Celsius?​
Answer: -10°C to 110°C​

111.​ Name a liquid used in thermometers besides mercury.​

Answer: Alcohol​

112.​ What is the melting point of mercury?​

Answer: -38.83°C​

113.​ Why is mercury used in thermometers?​

Answer: It expands uniformly and is sensitive to temperature changes.​

114.​ What is an advantage of alcohol over mercury in thermometers?​

Answer: It is less toxic.​

115.​ What component does a digital thermometer use?​

Answer: Thermistor​

116.​ What is conduction?​

Answer: Conduction is the transfer of heat in solids from a hotter to a cooler part.​

117.​ Name a good conductor of heat.​

Answer: Copper​

118.​ Name an insulator of heat.​

Answer: Wood​

119.​ What is convection?​

Answer: Convection is the transfer of heat in liquids and gases by particle movement.​

120.​ What is radiation?​

Answer: Radiation is the transfer of heat without a material medium.​

121.​ Why do ice cubes melt at room temperature?​

Answer: They absorb heat from the warmer atmosphere.​

122.​ What color absorbs heat better?​

Answer: Black​

123.​ What prevents heat loss by radiation in a thermos flask?​

Answer: Silvered walls​
 124.​ What is the purpose of the vacuum in a thermos flask?​
Answer: To prevent heat loss by conduction and convection​

125.​ What is a sea breeze?​

Answer: The movement of air from sea to land during the day​

2-Mark Questions (Short Explanations)

126.​ Why can’t we rely on the sense of touch to estimate temperature?​
Answer: The sense of touch is unreliable because hotness and coldness are relative.
For example, tap water feels hot to a cold hand and cold to a warm hand, as shown in
the activity with three bowls of water.​

127.​ What is the difference between a clinical and a laboratory thermometer?​

Answer: A clinical thermometer measures human body temperature (35°C to 42°C) and
has a kink to prevent mercury backflow, while a laboratory thermometer measures a
wider range (-10°C to 110°C) and lacks a kink.​

128.​ Why is mercury used in thermometers?​

Answer: Mercury is used because it expands uniformly, is sensitive to small temperature
changes, has a low melting point (-38.83°C), a high boiling point (356.62°C), and is
visible due to its shiny, opaque nature.​

129.​ What are two advantages of alcohol over mercury in thermometers?​

Answer: Alcohol is less toxic and cheaper than mercury, making it safer and more
cost-effective for thermometers, especially for measuring very low temperatures down to
-115°C.​

130.​ What is the role of the kink in a clinical thermometer?​

Answer: The kink prevents mercury from flowing back into the bulb after removal from
the body, ensuring the temperature reading remains stable for accurate measurement.​

131.​ How should a clinical thermometer be cleaned before use?​

Answer: It should be washed with water and an antiseptic solution using a cotton swab
to ensure hygiene and prevent infections.​

132.​ Why should a thermometer not be held by the bulb?​

Answer: Holding the bulb can transfer body heat to the thermometer, affecting the
mercury or alcohol and leading to an inaccurate temperature reading.​

133.​ What is the purpose of the activity with three bowls of water?​
Answer: The activity demonstrates that hotness and coldness are relative, as tap water
feels hot to a cold hand and cold to a warm hand, showing the unreliability of touch for
 temperature estimation.​

134.​ Why are cooking utensils made of metals?​

Answer: Metals are good conductors of heat, allowing heat to flow uniformly to cook
food properly, as seen in copper-bottomed utensils.​

135.​ Why are utensil handles made of insulators?​

Answer: Insulators like wood or Bakelite prevent heat transfer to the handle, making it
safe to hold hot utensils without burning the hand.​

136.​ What is a sea breeze, and when does it occur?​

Answer: A sea breeze is the movement of cooler air from the sea to warmer land during
the day, caused by the land heating up faster than the sea.​

137.​ What is a land breeze, and when does it occur?​

Answer: A land breeze is the movement of cooler air from the land to the warmer sea at
night, as the land cools faster than the sea.​

138.​ Why are woolen clothes worn in winter?​

Answer: Woolen clothes trap air, an insulator, in their fibers, preventing body heat from
escaping to the cold atmosphere, keeping the body warm.​

139.​ Why are ice slabs covered with sawdust?​

Answer: Sawdust is an insulator that prevents heat from the surroundings from reaching
the ice, slowing down the melting process.​

140.​ What shows convection currents in the water heating activity?​

Answer: Purple streaks of potassium permanganate in heated water show convection
currents, rising from the bottom and sinking near the beaker’s walls.​

3-Mark Questions (Detailed Descriptions)

141.​ Explain the activity with three bowls of water and its inference.​
Answer: The activity involves three bowls: A with lukewarm water, B with tap water, and
C with ice-cold water. Dip the right hand in A and the left hand in C, then both in B. The
right hand feels B as cold (losing heat), while the left hand feels it as hot (gaining heat),
despite both being in the same water. This shows that hotness and coldness are relative,
and touch is unreliable for temperature estimation, emphasizing the need for
thermometers.​

142.​ Describe the structure of a clinical thermometer and its function.​

Answer: A clinical thermometer has a glass stem with a thin capillary tube and a bulb
filled with mercury. A kink above the bulb prevents mercury backflow. When placed
 under the tongue, mercury expands or contracts based on body temperature (35°C to
42°C), and the stable reading is taken at eye level. The kink ensures accuracy after
removal, making it suitable for measuring human body temperature.​

143.​ Discuss the precautions for using a clinical thermometer.​

Answer: Wash the thermometer with water and antiseptic solution before use to ensure
hygiene. Give it a few jerks to lower the mercury below 35°C. Place the bulb under the
tongue (or armpit for children) for a minute, avoid holding the bulb to prevent false
readings, and read at eye level. These precautions ensure accurate and safe
temperature measurement.​

144.​ Explain why mercury is preferred over other liquids in thermometers.​

Answer: Mercury is preferred because it expands uniformly with temperature changes,
is sensitive to small changes, and has a wide temperature range (-38.83°C to 356.62°C).
Its shiny, opaque nature makes it easily visible in the capillary tube, and it doesn’t stick to
glass, ensuring smooth movement. These properties make mercury ideal for precise
temperature measurements in thermometers.​

145.​ Describe the activity to measure body temperature and its purpose.​
Answer: Clean a clinical thermometer with antiseptic solution, jerk it to lower mercury
below 35°C, and place it under the tongue for one minute. Read the temperature at eye
level, record it, and repeat for five people. The purpose is to practice accurate
temperature measurement and observe that healthy people have temperatures around
37°C, reinforcing the thermometer’s use and normal body temperature.​

146.​ Explain the role of conduction in heat transfer with an example.​

Answer: Conduction is the transfer of heat through a solid from a hotter to a cooler part
without particle movement. For example, heating one end of a metal spoon in a flame
causes the other end to heat up as closely packed particles transfer heat. This occurs
because of a temperature difference, making conduction effective in solids like metals
used in cooking utensils.​

147.​ Describe the convection activity with potassium permanganate.​

Answer: Fill a beaker halfway with water, add potassium permanganate crystals, and
heat it on a burner using an iron stand. Purple streaks form as the crystals dissolve,
rising from the bottom to the surface and sinking near the beaker’s walls. This shows
convection currents, where heated water (less dense) rises and cooler water (denser)
sinks, transferring heat in liquids.​

148.​ Why are black objects better at absorbing and radiating heat?​
Answer: In the activity, a black-painted can’s water heats up more than a white can’s in
the sun and cools faster in the shade. Black surfaces absorb more heat radiation due to
their color and emit it faster when cooling, unlike white surfaces, which reflect heat. This
 makes black objects ideal for heat absorption in appliances like cooking utensils.​

149.​ Explain the role of insulators in daily life with examples.​

Answer: Insulators like wood, plastic, and air prevent heat transfer, keeping objects at
desired temperatures. For example, wooden handles on utensils prevent burns by
blocking heat from the metal. Quilts and woolen clothes trap air, an insulator, to retain
body heat in winter. Sawdust covers ice slabs to slow melting by blocking external heat,
showing insulators’ practical utility.​

150.​ Discuss the purpose of the thermos flask’s design features.​

Answer: The thermos flask has a double-walled glass or stainless-steel bottle with a
vacuum between walls to prevent heat loss by conduction and convection. Silvered inner
walls reflect heat back, minimizing radiation losses. A plastic stopper, a poor conductor,
further blocks heat transfer. These features ensure hot or cold liquids maintain their
temperature for a long time.​

5-Mark Questions (Comprehensive Explanations)

151.​ Explain the activity with three bowls of water, including procedure,
observation, and inference, and its educational value.​
Answer: The activity uses three bowls: A with lukewarm water, B with tap water, and C
with ice-cold water. Procedure: Dip the right hand in A and the left in C for some time,
then place both in B. Observation: The right hand feels B as cold, while the left feels it as
hot, despite both being in the same water. Inference: Hotness and coldness are relative;
a cold hand gains heat from tap water (feels hot), and a warm hand loses heat (feels
cold). This shows touch is unreliable for temperature estimation, emphasizing
thermometers’ importance. Educationally, it teaches students the subjective nature of
sensory perception and the need for objective measurement tools like thermometers.​

152.​ Discuss the differences between clinical and laboratory thermometers,

including their structure, range, and precautions.​
Answer: A clinical thermometer measures human body temperature (35°C to 42°C or
94°F to 108°F) with a glass stem, a mercury-filled bulb, and a kink to prevent mercury
backflow for stable readings. Precautions include cleaning with antiseptic, jerking
mercury below 35°C, and avoiding holding the bulb. A laboratory thermometer
measures a wider range (-10°C to 110°C) for experiments, with a long glass tube and no
kink, requiring the bulb to stay in the substance during reading. Precautions include
holding vertically, not tilting, and reading at eye level. These differences reflect their
specialized uses, with clinical thermometers ensuring safe body temperature
measurement and laboratory ones suited for broader experimental needs.​

153.​ Describe the activity to measure hot water temperature with a laboratory
thermometer and explain its significance.​
 Answer: Procedure: Fill a beaker with hot water, immerse the laboratory thermometer’s
bulb, keeping it away from the beaker’s bottom and sides, and wait until the mercury
thread stabilizes. Read the temperature while the bulb is in the water to avoid a falling
mercury thread, which gives inaccurate readings. Observation: The mercury rises to
indicate the water’s temperature. Significance: This activity teaches proper use of a
laboratory thermometer, emphasizing the need to keep the bulb in the substance for
accurate readings due to mercury’s sensitivity. It reinforces practical skills in temperature
measurement and the importance of precise experimental techniques in science.​

154.​ Explain the three methods of heat transfer with examples from the PDF and
their real-world applications.​
Answer: Conduction transfers heat in solids via particle vibration, e.g., a metal spoon
heating up when one end is in a flame, used in metal cooking utensils for uniform
heating. Convection involves particle movement in liquids and gases, e.g., potassium
permanganate streaks rising in heated water, seen in sea breezes cooling coastal areas.
Radiation transfers heat without a medium, e.g., black cans absorbing more heat in the
sun, applied in dark-colored winter clothes for heat absorption. These methods explain
heat movement in daily life, from cooking to weather patterns, enhancing understanding
of thermal energy applications.​

155.​ Discuss the design and functioning of a thermos flask, explaining how it
minimizes heat loss or gain.​
Answer: A thermos flask has a double-walled glass or stainless-steel bottle with a
vacuum between the walls, preventing heat loss by conduction and convection, as
there’s no medium for heat transfer. The inner walls are silvered to reflect heat back,
minimizing radiation losses. A plastic stopper, a poor conductor, blocks heat transfer
through the opening. For hot liquids, these features prevent heat loss, keeping the liquid
hot; for cold liquids, they prevent heat gain, keeping them cold. This design ensures
liquids maintain their temperature for long periods, making the thermos flask ideal for
storing beverages in various conditions.​

156.​ Analyze the activity comparing black and white cans, including procedure,
observation, and real-world applications.​
Answer: Procedure: Paint two identical metal cans, one black and one white, fill them
with equal water, and place thermometers in each. Record initial temperatures, place
both in the sun for an hour, then in the shade for 15 minutes, noting temperatures.
Observation: The black can’s water heats up more in the sun and cools faster in the
shade than the white can. Inference: Black objects absorb and radiate heat better than
white ones. Applications include wearing light clothes in summer to reflect heat, using
black cooking appliance bases for better heat absorption, and polished surfaces in
heaters to reflect heat, showing how color affects thermal properties.​

157.​ Explain the role of good and poor conductors in daily life, with examples from
the PDF.​
 Answer: Good conductors like metals (e.g., copper) allow heat to flow easily, used in
cooking utensils for uniform cooking, thermometer bulbs (mercury) for accurate readings,
and geyser coils for efficient heating. Poor conductors (insulators) like wood, plastic,
and air prevent heat transfer. Examples include wooden utensil handles to avoid burns,
quilts with air-filled cotton to retain body heat, and sawdust covering ice slabs to slow
melting. These materials are critical in daily life for safety (handles), warmth (woolen
clothes), and preservation (ice storage), demonstrating the practical importance of
thermal conductivity.​

158.​ Discuss the convection current activity with a candle and chimney, including
its inference and significance.​
Answer: Procedure: Place an incense stick near a chimney in a setup with a burning
candle and another chimney. Observation: Smoke from the incense stick is sucked into
the chimney and moves toward the flame. Inference: Hot air above the candle rises and
exits the upper chimney, creating a low-pressure area. Fresh air, along with smoke, is
drawn into the lower chimney, forming convection currents. Significance: This activity
demonstrates convection in gases, explaining natural phenomena like breezes and the
function of exhaust fans, which rely on rising hot air, enhancing understanding of heat
transfer in air.​

159.​ Compare the advantages and limitations of mercury and alcohol

thermometers.​
Answer: Mercury thermometers are sensitive, expand uniformly, have a wide range
(-38.83°C to 356.62°C), and are visible due to their shiny, opaque nature, making them
ideal for clinical and laboratory use. However, mercury is toxic and expensive. Alcohol
thermometers are cheaper, less toxic, and can measure very low temperatures
(-115°C), suitable for cold environments, but they cannot measure above 78°C and are
less durable. These differences guide their use: mercury for high precision and alcohol
for safety and low-temperature applications, balancing accuracy and safety in
temperature measurement.​

160.​ Explain the significance of sea and land breezes in the context of convection.​
Answer: Sea and land breezes are caused by convection due to differential heating.
During the day, land heats faster than the sea, causing warm air to rise over land and
cooler sea air to move in, forming a sea breeze that cools coastal areas. At night, land
cools faster, and warm sea air rises, drawing cooler land air to form a land breeze.
These breezes demonstrate convection in gases, where heated, less dense air rises and
cooler, denser air replaces it. Their significance lies in regulating coastal climates and
illustrating natural convection, as seen in the PDF’s convection current examples.​

Additional MCQs (Variations for Depth)

161.​ What causes the feeling of hotness when touching a hot object?​
a) Loss of heat​
b) Gain of heat​
c) No heat transfer​
d) Particle vibration​
Answer: b) Gain of heat​

162.​ What is the purpose of the capillary tube in a thermometer?​

a) To hold mercury​
b) To allow mercury expansion​
c) To display temperature​
d) To prevent heat loss​
Answer: b) To allow mercury expansion​

163.​ Which precaution ensures hygiene when using a clinical thermometer?​

a) Jerking the thermometer​
b) Cleaning with antiseptic solution​
c) Holding by the bulb​
d) Reading at an angle​
Answer: b) Cleaning with antiseptic solution​

164.​ Why is the laboratory thermometer read while in the substance?​

a) To prevent mercury expansion​
b) To avoid falling mercury levels​
c) To increase accuracy​
d) To cool the thermometer​
Answer: b) To avoid falling mercury levels​

165.​ What is the role of air in woolen clothes?​

a) Conducts heat​
b) Absorbs moisture​
c) Acts as an insulator​
d) Radiates heat​
Answer: c) Acts as an insulator​

166.​ What indicates the temperature in a clinical thermometer?​

a) Bulb size​
b) Mercury level in the stem​
c) Kink position​
d) Glass color​
Answer: b) Mercury level in the stem​

167.​ Why are copper coils used in refrigerators?​

a) To insulate heat​
 b) For better heat conduction​
c) To reduce cost​
d) To prevent corrosion​
Answer: b) For better heat conduction​

168.​ What happens to the mercury thread if a laboratory thermometer is removed

from hot water?​
a) It rises​
b) It falls​
c) It stays constant​
d) It breaks​
Answer: b) It falls​

169.​ Which thermometer is safer for measuring very low temperatures?​

a) Mercury thermometer​
b) Alcohol thermometer​
c) Digital thermometer​
d) Clinical thermometer​
Answer: b) Alcohol thermometer​

170.​ What is the primary heat transfer method in a thermos flask’s vacuum?​
a) Conduction​
b) Convection​
c) Radiation​
d) None​
Answer: d) None​

Additional Fill-in-the-Blank Questions

171.​ The thermometer’s stem has a _____ tube for mercury movement.​
Answer: Capillary​

172.​ The Celsius scale’s upper fixed point is _____°C.​

Answer: 100​

173.​ A laboratory thermometer must be held _____ during use.​

Answer: Vertically​

174.​ _____ is used to cover ice slabs to prevent melting.​

Answer: Sawdust​
 175.​ The _____ in a digital thermometer displays the temperature.​
Answer: LCD​

176.​ Convection occurs in _____ and _____.​

Answer: Liquids, Gases​

177.​ _____ surfaces in room heaters reflect heat radiation.​

Answer: Polished metallic​

178.​ The thermos flask’s _____ stopper is a poor conductor.​

Answer: Plastic​

179.​ _____ currents are observed in the convection activity with water.​
Answer: Convection​

180.​ The clinical thermometer’s range in Fahrenheit is _____°F to _____°F.​

Answer: 94, 108​

Additional True/False Questions

181.​ The Fahrenheit scale’s lower fixed point is 32°F.​
Answer: True​

182.​ Alcohol thermometers can measure higher temperatures than mercury

thermometers.​
Answer: False​

183.​ Conduction requires a temperature difference between two ends.​

Answer: True​

184.​ Insulators allow heat to pass through easily.​

Answer: False​

185.​ The thermos flask’s silvered walls prevent conduction.​

Answer: False​

186.​ Land breezes occur during the day.​

Answer: False​

187.​ Mercury does not stick to glass in thermometers.​

Answer: True​
 188.​ The laboratory thermometer should be tilted during use.​
Answer: False​

189.​ Black cooking utensil bases improve heat absorption.​

Answer: True​

190.​ Convection currents are observed in solids.​

Answer: False​

Additional 1-Mark Questions

191.​ What is the upper fixed point on the Celsius scale?​
Answer: 100°C​

192.​ Name a precaution for using a laboratory thermometer.​

Answer: Hold it vertically.​

193.​ What is the boiling point of alcohol in thermometers?​

Answer: 78°C​

194.​ What is the role of the thermistor in a digital thermometer?​

Answer: It senses temperature.​

195.​ Name a material used as an insulator in utensil handles.​

Answer: Bakelite​

196.​ What causes a sea breeze?​

Answer: Land heating faster than the sea.​

197.​ What is the purpose of silvered walls in a thermos flask?​

Answer: To reflect heat and prevent radiation loss​

198.​ Why are exhaust fans placed high?​

Answer: To push out rising hot air​

199.​ What liquid is used in laboratory thermometers?​

Answer: Mercury​

200.​ What is the inference of the black and white cans activity?​
Answer: Black objects absorb and radiate heat better.​
Additional 2-Mark Questions
201.​ Why is a laboratory thermometer not suitable for body temperature?​
Answer: It lacks a kink, so mercury falls when removed, giving inaccurate readings, and
its wide range (-10°C to 110°C) is less precise for the narrow body temperature range
(35°C to 42°C).​

202.​ What is the significance of the convection current activity with a candle?​
Answer: It shows convection in gases, where hot air rises from a candle, drawing in
cooler air and smoke through a chimney, demonstrating how convection currents drive
air movement in natural phenomena like breezes.​

203.​ Why are polished metallic surfaces used in room heaters?​

Answer: Polished surfaces reflect heat radiation from the heating coil back into the
room, increasing heating efficiency and preventing heat loss to the heater’s back.​

204.​ How does the vacuum in a thermos flask function?​

Answer: The vacuum between the double walls eliminates air, preventing heat transfer
by conduction and convection, thus maintaining the temperature of the liquid inside.​

205.​ Why is the thermometer read at eye level?​

Answer: Reading at eye level ensures an accurate view of the mercury level, avoiding
parallax errors that could lead to incorrect temperature readings.​

Additional 3-Mark Questions

206.​ Describe the precautions for using a laboratory thermometer and their
importance.​
Answer: Hold the thermometer vertically to ensure accurate mercury movement, keep
the bulb fully in the substance to measure its true temperature, and read while the bulb is
in contact to avoid falling mercury levels. Do not hold the bulb to prevent body heat
interference, and read at eye level to avoid parallax errors. These precautions ensure
precise temperature measurements critical for reliable experimental results in
laboratories.​

207.​ Explain why alcohol thermometers are used for low temperatures.​
Answer: Alcohol thermometers can measure down to -115°C due to alcohol’s low
freezing point, unlike mercury, which freezes at -38.83°C. They are also less toxic and
cheaper, making them safer for low-temperature environments like cold storage. Their
limitation (maximum 78°C) is irrelevant for low-temperature applications, making them
ideal for such conditions.​
 208.​ Discuss the role of convection in daily life with examples from the PDF.​
Answer: Convection transfers heat in liquids and gases via particle movement, seen in
sea breezes cooling land during the day as warm land air rises and cooler sea air
replaces it. In the kitchen, heating water shows convection currents with potassium
permanganate streaks. Exhaust fans use convection to remove hot air, illustrating how
convection regulates temperature in natural and domestic settings.​

209.​ Explain why metals are used in cooking utensils and insulators in their
handles.​
Answer: Metals like copper are good conductors, allowing uniform heat transfer to cook
food evenly, as in copper-bottomed pans. Insulators like wood or Bakelite in handles
prevent heat from reaching the hand, ensuring safety when handling hot utensils. This
combination optimizes cooking efficiency and user safety, as highlighted in the PDF’s
examples of conductors and insulators.​

210.​ Describe the "Let's Recall" activity and its educational purpose.​
Answer: The "Let's Recall" activity asks students to identify errors in two images related
to heat (details not specified in the PDF). It prompts discussion on heat-related concepts,
likely involving misconceptions like improper thermometer use or heat transfer errors.
The purpose is to reinforce understanding through critical thinking, encouraging students
to apply heat and temperature concepts to identify and correct mistakes in a classroom
setting.​

Additional 5-Mark Questions

211.​ Discuss the significance of the "Quick Check" sections and how they reinforce
learning.​
Answer: The "Quick Check" sections test key concepts through fill-in-the-blank (e.g., SI
unit of heat is joule) and true/false questions (e.g., convection occurs only in solids,
false). They reinforce definitions (temperature, thermometer), scales (Celsius,
Fahrenheit), and heat transfer principles. By addressing misconceptions (e.g., insulators
vs. conductors), they solidify foundational knowledge. These quick assessments
encourage recall and application, preparing students for deeper questions by ensuring
mastery of basic terms and concepts.​

212.​ Explain the role of radiation in daily life, with examples from the PDF and their
applications.​
Answer: Radiation transfers heat without a medium, as seen in the black and white cans
activity, where black cans absorb more solar heat. In daily life, light-colored clothes
reflect heat in summer, keeping the body cool, while dark clothes absorb heat in winter.
Black cooking appliance bases enhance heat absorption, and polished heater surfaces
reflect radiation for efficiency. These applications show how radiation affects thermal
 comfort and energy efficiency in clothing and appliances, as emphasized in the PDF.​

213.​ Analyze the "Let's Look Back" section and its role in summarizing key
concepts.​
Answer: The "Let's Look Back" section summarizes key points: heat as energy, clinical
thermometer’s use (35°C to 42°C), laboratory thermometer’s range (-10°C to 110°C),
mercury and alcohol in thermometers, conductors vs. insulators, and three heat transfer
methods. It reinforces core concepts through concise statements, helping students
consolidate learning. By revisiting these points, it ensures retention of essential facts,
prepares students for assessments, and connects theoretical knowledge to practical
examples like utensil materials and breezes.​

214.​ Discuss the practical applications of conductors and insulators in the context
of the PDF’s examples.​
Answer: Conductors like copper are used in cooking utensils for uniform heat
distribution, in thermometer bulbs (mercury) for accurate readings, and in geyser coils for
efficient heating. Insulators like wood in utensil handles prevent burns, cotton in quilts
traps air to retain body heat, and sawdust on ice slabs slows melting. These applications
demonstrate how conductors ensure efficient heat transfer in cooking and heating
devices, while insulators enhance safety and preservation, making thermal properties
critical in daily life, as detailed in the PDF.​

215.​ Explain the convection current activity with potassium permanganate,

including its real-world relevance.​
Answer: Procedure: Half-fill a beaker with water, add potassium permanganate, and
heat it on a burner. Observation: Purple streaks rise from the bottom to the surface and
sink near the walls, showing convection currents. Inference: Heated water becomes less
dense, rises, and is replaced by denser, cooler water, transferring heat. Real-world
relevance includes sea breezes, where warm land air rises and cooler sea air moves in,
cooling coastal areas, and exhaust fans removing hot air, illustrating convection’s role in
climate and ventilation systems.​